Children ‘were not safe’ at after-school club

PRIMARY school children were not safe at a before and after-school club, it has been claimed in a damning report.

The safety of youngsters attending the Extra Time Club at All Saints Primary School, in Alrewas, was compromised, an inspection ruled, with nothing in place to stop people entering the site, with doors also left ‘wide open’.

Adult to child ratios in place breached the legal requirement, meaning pupils were not adequately supervised at the club, while children would also be kept outside for long periods as they waited for a classroom to become available – without access to drinking water.

The club’s lack of commitment to meet safeguarding and welfare requirements amounted to a breach of the Early Years Register and Child Register, Ofsted said.

It also said children were given a ‘false sense of security as the premises were not secure’.

The report said: “Children’s safety is significantly compromised. The provider does not ensure that children are adequately supervised because adult to child ratios are not met and the premises is not secure to ensure unauthorised persons cannot gain access.”

There was also no written record of accidents, the education watchdog said.

The club, which has been part of the primary school for 18 years, operates for an hour before the start of the school day and from when the pupils finish until 5.45pm, Monday to Friday.

Owner Dawn James said she was disappointed with the report’s findings, but accepted that mistakes had been made.

She said the points raised had now been addressed and assured parents that children were safe at the Extra Time Club.

Mrs James said: “We are a long-established club and we have the full support of the school. It was disappointing, but they were valid points. Two doors were open but the gates were locked.

“We have taken on board what Ofsted said, we have altered our security arrangements and made lots of improvements and are looking forward to them coming back again.

“There are lots of good points in the report as well and the school backs us 100 per cent.”